In recent months, social media has been flooded with videos of unusual wedding trends, as couples attempt to make their celebrations stand out. One practice in particular has sparked alarm, where newlyweds are now giving out live chicks as wedding doorgifts.

After the wedding celebration, all the guests carried boxes with colorful baby chicks inside
After the wedding celebration, all the guests carried boxes with colorful baby chicks inside.
Image credit: TikTok

Several viral TikTok clips show the chicks, some of which were even dyed in bright colours, being placed inside small plastic containers without food or water before being handed to guests. Other clips seemingly from a supplier have also share the process of how they prepare the chicks before completing their ‘order’.

A day in the life of dyeing chicks into different colours

In the video, the team was seen placing the chicks in different containers, separated by colours. The chicks are then spray painted to colours like green, blue and pink. Sharing their work routine, they wrote,

The staff sprayed the baby chicks with different colors to attract people and make them look special.
Image credit: TikTok

“After 3 days rushing to finish up this order, we managed to send out 2,000 chicks to our newly wed customer as they wanted the chicks as doorgifts.”

Cruel or creative? You decide

While a few netizens described the gesture as “unique” or “memorable,” many others condemned it as cruel and irresponsible. Comments ranged from shock to outrage, with some pointing out the serious risks of the animals ending up in unsafe hands.

Some netizens said they really liked the colorful chicks and wanted to buy them.
Image credit: TikTok
“It’s not about the color, bro. It’s because they’re made into door gifts, put in plastic boxes, closed, it gets hot, shaken around while being carried… you don’t know how rough the journey is. They get tossed around. That’s so pitiful for the chicks.”
Image credit: TikTok
“The ruling on coloring animals for business purposes or simply to satisfy desires is haram. This is because it is considered a form of abuse and cruelty towards animals. The chemicals in the spray paint may harm the animals’ health or even kill them.”
Image credit: TikTok

Dyeing these chicks is not art, it’s abuse

Animal welfare groups have also raised the alarm. The Stray Free Foundation, a local NGO, stressed that the practice is not only inhumane but also illegal.

“Under the Animal Welfare Act 2015 (Act 772), giving pets as door gifts constitutes exploitation and failure to ensure their welfare. Dyeing these chicks is not art, it is abuse. We urge the public to report these TikTok accounts to stop this harmful trend,” the organisation said in a statement.

What do you think of this trend? Let us know.

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